Newcastle United are looking to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes, with Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli firmly in their sights.
New head coach Matthias Jaissle has made an immediate impression at St James’ Park, guiding his side to a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in his first Premier League match.
The 38-year-old German showed clear passion and intensity from the touchline, winning admirers among supporters who see a different energy compared to former boss Eddie Howe.
Despite the positive start, the Newcastle hierarchy remain active in the market and are reportedly in constant contact with Real Betis over a potential deal for Ezzalzouli.
TEAMtalk reports that the Moroccan international would be open to a move to St James’ Park, with a deal potentially being agreed before the window shuts next week.
Previous reports have suggested Real Betis would demand around €60m, equivalent to approximately £55m, before sanctioning the sale of their prized winger.
Ezzalzouli produced an impressive campaign in LaLiga last season, contributing 10 goals and eight assists across the top flight in Spain.
Those numbers compare favourably to Newcastle’s current wide option Anthony Elanga, who registered 17 fewer direct contributions during his debut season on Tyneside in 2025/26.
Elanga, who joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest for £55m last summer, failed to score a single Premier League goal throughout the entirety of that campaign.
However, the Swedish international offered genuine encouragement against Liverpool, scoring after just five minutes by storming past Milos Kerkez before finishing past Alisson.
Elanga ended the match with one goal, two shots on target, and three fouls won across his 76 minutes on the pitch, completing 50% of his dribbles with 23 sprints recorded.
Jaissle’s counterattacking system appeared to suit the 24-year-old well, with his electric pace making him a consistent threat down the right flank during transitions.
Ezzalzouli, also 24, demonstrated superior creativity last season by creating 1.3 chances per 90 minutes, with 0.4 of those classified as big chances in Spain’s top flight.
Those figures bettered 85% of forwards across Europe’s top-five leagues, highlighting the level of quality Newcastle would be adding to their squad with a successful transfer.
The Betis star also completed more take-ons than Elanga last term and posted a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate while missing fewer big chances throughout the season.
Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo is another attacking target Newcastle have been pursuing, with an opening offer reportedly already submitted for the Belgian international.
While Elanga’s revival under Jaissle has given supporters genuine optimism, the club’s ambition to return to the upper echelons of the Premier League demands further reinforcement.
Landing Ezzalzouli for £55m could represent outstanding value given his statistics and age, providing Jaissle with a direct, creative forward capable of making an immediate impact.